EKU will graduate informed critical and creative thinkers who communicate effectively.

 Group activity (2-4 participants, minutes)  Consider the possible steps required in thinking critically about this scenario: “Notice in mail about contaminants released in the domestic water supply.”

 The problem is …  This is an important problem (to me) because …  The key question that needs to be answered to solve this problem is …  The main purpose in addressing the problem is …  Some important assumptions I am using …  The key ideas or concepts guiding my thinking about dealing with this problem are … Group Activity (2-4 participants; minutes)

 The following information is needed to answer this question …  The points of view relevant to this problem are …  If the problem is solved some important implications are …  If the problem is not solved some important implications are …  Based on our analysis of the problem the best solution is …

 Seek better ways of doing things  Formulate the problem clearly  Work on significant problems or issues  Examine their assumptions  Draw on concepts and logic while solving problems  Gather relevant information  Consider multiple viewpoints and possible implications  Reach reasonable solutions and conclusions  Rely on standards for guiding their thinking  Believe in the power of their minds

 Students will Explore and use relevant information in order to gain knowledge and solve problems  Students will Evaluate information and ideas using appropriate methods  Students will Expand and generate their own ideas and express them effectively  Students will Express a point of view and develop it with awareness of alternatives

 Infusing Critical Thinking (CT) into the  General Education (GE) ProgramGE  Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) campus wide (EKU syllabus policy, pg. 2) syllabus policy  First Year Academic Orientation Course—GSD 101 (Foundations of Learning)GSD 101  Thinking & Communicating Across the Curriculum (TCAC)TCAC  Service-Learning Project (SL)SL  Noel Studio for Academic Creativity Noel Studio  Citizens' Assembly for Critical Thinking About the United States (CACTUS)CACTUS  Co-Curricular Learning Community (CCLC)CCLC  Instructional Strategies Professional Learning Community Instructional Strategies  … …

 Increasing awareness of the QEP  Providing resources  Providing information and training  Promoting a shared understanding and common language of critical and creative thinking and communication activities QE CoachesQE Coaches from all colleges and professional staff QEP Calendar

 Critical and creative thinking are dynamic and deliberate processes where learners are active participants in intellectual activities in which they explore, evaluate, expand and express in relation to problems, scenarios, and arguments in order to reach sound and innovative solutions, decisions, and positions.

Intellectual Standards Elements of Thought Intellectual Traits  Paul-Elder model of Critical Thinking  Higher-order thinking used in all disciplines of study  Provides the “keywords”  Three components: The InteIlectual Standards can be applied to the Elements of Thought as we learn to develop better Intellectual Traits in an effort to be better Critical and Creative Thinkers!

ClarityPrecisionAccurateLogicalFairness RelevanceSignificanceDepthBreadth Example: Evaluating the statement “homework will be assigned” using selected intellectual standards.

1. Clarity 2. Accuracy 3. Precision 4. Relevance 5. Depth 6. Breadth 7. Logic 8. Significance 9. Fairness Source: The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools, by Drs. R. Paul and L. ElderThe Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking

Formulate questions or problems Define/ express/ state the problem or issue Sub- issues Consider questions linked to issue Purpose Goal A closer view Deeper or broader reason it should be solved? Consider personal or social stake in solving or tackling the issue Point of view Perspectives Thinking hats Walk in somebody else’s shoes Outsider’s or non-specialist viewpoint Multiple views exist concurrently Assumptions Background information What can we take for granted Initial conditions Reasonable assumption based on context Presupposit -ion Information Data Facts Observations Experiences Evidence Search for valid and external sources Concepts Theories Definition Principles Models Axioms Theorems Rules Hypo- thesis Key words Solutions Judgments Conclusions Interpretations Discussion Must follow from the information and concepts under the stated assumptions Consequences If solved then what? If not solved then what? Implications Potential positive, negative, and unexpected future outcomes Directions for future work Example: Should I assign homework?

Source: The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools, by Drs. R. Paul and L. Elder 1. Purpose of the Thinking 2. Point of View 3. Assumptions 4. Implications and Consequences 5. Data, facts, and Experiences 6. Inferences and Judgments 7. Theories and Concepts 8. Answer a Question or Solve a Problem Students will apply the Elements of Thought to analyze their reading and writing assignments

Positive Traits Fair MindednessIntellectual EmpathyIntellectual PerseveranceConfidence in ReasonIntellectual IndependenceIntellectual CourageIntellectual HumilityIntellectual Integrity Negative Traits ___________________ So can assigning homework help with any of this? As the branch is bent, the tree will grow? Consequences …

Source: The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools, by Drs. R. Paul and L. Elder 1. Intellectual Integrity 2. Intellectual Independence 3. Intellectual Perseverance 4. Intellectual Empathy 5. Intellectual Humility 6. Intellectual Courage 7. Confidence in Reason 8. Fair mindedness Intellectual Standards are applied to a student’s thinking using the Elements of Thought so that these eventually become part of the regular thought process of our students, as they develop constructive Intellectual Traits

Source: The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools, by Drs. R. Paul and L. Elder

1. State your main point: “I think…..” 2. Elaborate on your main point in several sentences: “In other words……” 3. Exemplify or give an example of your main point: “For example……” 4. Illustrate or give an illustration of your main point: “It’s like………” A picture or even a return demonstration of a skill

 SEEI a course concept such as : What does it Mean to Study?  S: to study means to read the textbook and assignments and process the information in a meaningful way so that you can use the knowledge again.  E: In other words it takes time, effort, and occurs after much thought.

 E: For example, to really study means to read all the material, read my class notes, use the eight elements of thought to mentally think through the concepts, theories or definitions used in class and be able to apply that information in various situations.  I : It is like a tennis player preparing for a big match, he/she practices each day, works out with weights, eats nutritious foods, gets rest, and meditates in preparation so that he/she brings their “A” game to the match ( or exam).

 State: the Concept or discipline-related Skill  Elaborate: on the Skill and gather necessary equipment to successfully perform the skill  Exemplify :or verbally discuss the skill and how it is used in a specific discipline  Illustrate: Perform the specific skill correctly

 SEEI the concept of Critical Thinking or a concept central to your course:

What is Central to the course you are teaching? What information is essential for the student to know and reason through? Move to the Fundamental and Powerful Concepts to convey the information necessary to answer the Central Question(s)

 When learning a discipline, students must learn to : 1) Think Critically within that discipline 2) Wade through the vast amount of information and decide what is most important and useful  Fundamental and Powerful Concepts are a relatively small number of the most Useful and Central to the discipline

 What are the Fundamental and Powerful Concepts of a course OR a Particular Unit within a course?  Just list 3 maybe 4  This takes time and thought so do not get frustrated!

27 Start out lecture with the main questions that will be addressed For example, in a course on Computer Networking, while discussing current state of communication, one may lead with the following questions: Why are different modes of communication needed? What mechanisms form the core of Ethernet based communication? How fast are Ethernet based communication speeds progressing?

 At what moment in class this week did you feel most engaged with what was happening?  At what moment in class this week were you most distanced from what was happening?  What action that anyone (teacher or student) took this week did you find most affirming or helpful?  What action that anyone took this week did you find most puzzling or confusing?  What about the class this week surprised you the most? (This could be about your own reactions to what went on, something that someone did, or anything else that occurs). Source:  Encouraging students to reflect on their learning: Meta-cognition  Anonymous submission of weekly CIQs

Evaluation Synthesis Analysis Application Comprehension Knowledge Based on Benjamin Bloom’s 1956 classification of intellectual behavior (further updated in the 1990s)

 We all have the responsibility as educators to facilitate the learning process and infuse critical and creative thinking into each and every course on EKU’s campus to create better thinkers and effective communicators!  Support is available through the Teaching Learning Center and the QEP Coaches group   QEP website:  Bev Hart ) Bev  Vigs Chandra ) Vigs

Source:

CIQ Fundamental and Powerful Concepts SEEI Source: The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools, by Drs. R. Paul and L. Elder State Exemplify Elaborate Illustrate Critical Questionnaire Incident